(no subject)
Chapter II
Cold Case: Heiji Hattori’s Suicide
Part I: Open Again
Shinichi sat in the police station, looking through the files, anything that would give him a lead. Heiji had been dead for thirteen years, and hints are dead and cold.
Hattori, Heiji
Date of Birth: August 9, 1979
Date of Death: June 30, 2000
Cause of Death: Gunshot wound to the head
Summary of Investigation: Hattori was out on a search party for Kudo Ran, who had been kidnapped earlier that day. He was joined, ironically, by eight-year-old Conan Edogawa and by the Phantom Thief, the Kaitou Kid. According to Edogawa, Hattori lost contact with them many hours before his body was found by the river in Sakura Park.
Evidence Found: A 9mm pistol in Hattori’s left hand, residue on Hattori’s hand, a gold bracelet exactly four inches away from the body (presumably a gift for his girlfriend, Toyama Kazuha)
Investigation’s Conclusion: Suicide.
Shinichi pounded his fist on the file. He figured everyone knew just as well as he did Heiji would never commit suicide under any circumstance.
Keiko and Conan sat at the table, reading through the document also.
“Is it possible that Hattori-san shot at his attacker, then was murdered?” Conan asked, deep in thought.
Shinichi nodded. “I think that’s what happened, but the only witness said they only heard one bang.”
Keiko was in deep thought. “I remember this story in my Sherlock Holmes book. The Case of the Dancing Men.”
Conan rolled his eyes for his detective-obsessed sister. Sure she read many Kogoro Akechis, but her main squeeze was the brown-haired, gray-eyed stoic. “Him again?”
Shinichi smiled. “That’s it. He was murdered, but he fired the same time as the murderer and was off aim.”
Conan shook his head, the face of a professional detective plastered behind his glasses. “From what I’ve heard, Hattori-san was good with weapons, never missed a target. I think he shot slightly after, causing him to get his aiming off, where it hit the clasp of said bracelet, causing it to fall with him.”
“Good theory, Conan,” Shinichi started. “But the person shot him with his own gun or a similar model. The bullet matched the gun in Hattori’s hand.”
Keiko looked up slowly. “Perhaps the murderer shot Hattori, then rubbed their hands in the palm of his left, then placed the gun in his hand before rigor mortis went in effect?”
“That’s liable, but what about the bracelet?”
“Maybe they knew that the bracelet would be considered a gift for Toyama-dono,” she replied.
Ran came in with everyone’s breakfast. “Shinichi, you know, child labor is illegal.”
He smiled and took his toast. “Thanks, Ran-koi.” He gave his wife a quick peck on the lips. “But our kids want to help me find out about Hattori.”
Ran looked down. “Shinichi, I thought they agreed…”
“Something seemed false about it. No will, no note, so signs of going suicidal, he was in the middle of a case…Ran, if he did go suicidal, he wouldn’t do it until he finished his case. And plus…why would he do it in a public place where someone could stop him? And the bracelet…That is the key remaining clue.”
“Uh, Shinichi…Dad proved that it was a gift for Kazuha-chan, remember?”
“No, no that isn’t it!”
“It belongs to her,” Keiko said pointing at a picture.
The Kudo family crowded over the aspiring detective. In her hands was a picture of Chris Vineyard, a beautiful American actress…Shinichi knew her as Vermouth of the Black Organization.
“I had to do a report on an American actor or actress for English last month,” Keiko started. “I choose Christine Vineyard. In a new version of Sherlock Holmes, she played Irene. During the movie, she had a custom bracelet made. That movie was her first big blockbuster, and she then always wore the bracelet for good luck during premieres.”
Conan glanced from the picture to his little sister. “Celebs have their jewelry copied all the time, Kei.”
Keiko smirked. “It never left her wrist. No one could ever copy it to perfection. Not like the bracelet in the evidence bag.”
“Are you trying to tell me an actress from America is capable of murder? What would she be doing here in Tokyo?”
Shinichi muttered, “Her work, her rival, her lover.”
Ran smiled sweetly. “It’s time for school, guys.” There was a groan from the Kudo children. “I know, I know, but the force won’t let you on unless you have good attendance and grades.”
Keiko quickly slipped her shoulder bag on, and when Conan put on his backpack, they left with a hug and a kiss from each parent.
Ran cuddled with Shinichi. “Now what does Heiji’s death have to do with anything? The police say it was suicide, Shinichi…”
“Sometimes, the police make mistakes.” His arms wrapped around his wife’s slender waist. “This was one of them. I just can’t imagine Hattori placing a gun to his head and pulling the trigger.”
“Well, you know he didn’t get along with his dad, maybe it got too out of hand?”
“He’s hardly ever home, Ran.”
“By the way, what were you thinking when you brought Keiko and Conan down to solve a case that is long dead?”
“Conan’s mind is brilliant, and he is really good at riddles like this. Keiko…someday she’s gonna get killed because she’s such a good detective.”
“Don’t say that.”
“I just don’t want another ‘Conan Edogawa’ incident.”
Ran cuddled with her husband for a long time. “I know, Shinichi…I know…I could only imagine what Yukiko did when she heard you disappeared…”
Shinichi brushed his bangs out of his face and sat down, the beautiful lawyer on his lap, overlooking the evidence.
“Do you think Keiko was right about the bracelet?” Ran asked looking at Vermouth’s smiling photograph.
“She could be. The evidence sure points to it. The timeframe, the situation…It’s quite plausible that Keiko and Conan’s theories are correct. Personally, I think Keiko’s theory is correct, but how on Earth did she get him to trust her enough to meet her alone?”
There was long silence before Shinichi muttered, “Shiho…”
Ran looked up. “Shiho?”
“Shiho was known as Sherry to them. She is a scientist…It’s quite possible that before she disappeared, she made voice modulators.”
“Possible, but didn’t Sherry not wanna work with them at this time?”
The phone rang, interrupting their trains of thought.
Ran answered. “Kudo residence…Hold on.” She turned to Shinichi. “It’s Detective Hakuba. He’s very upset and wants to talk to you.”
Shinichi took the phone and placed it to his ear. “What is it, Hakuba?”
The detective’s voice was shaking when he replied, “There’s another murder…”